Inappropriate personal conduct

Make a Complaint here >

A formal complaint must be in writing, must identify the person making the complaint and must identify the legal practitioner the subject of the complaint. You can make a formal complaint by clicking on the 'Make a Complaint here' button above.

If you make a formal complaint we assess the complaint to determine whether it will be investigated. If the Commissioner decides to investigate we:

• Inform the lawyer of the complaint and ask for their explanation.
• Gather the available evidence from all available sources.
• Make a decision which involves three possible outcomes:
  • The Commissioner takes no further action.
  • The Commissioner decides that the conduct amounts to unsatisfactory professional conduct and makes orders such as a reprimand, a fine or placing conditions on the lawyer’s practising certificate or may lay a charge in the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. In those circumstances you may be required to give evidence.
  • The Commissioner decides that the conduct amounts to professional misconduct and makes orders or may lay a charge in the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. In those circumstances you may be required to give evidence.

More detail can be found at the Complaint process pages for Consumers and Lawyers.

 Speak Safely here >

If you do not feel comfortable emailing or calling us, you can log a report using our online reporting tool, Speak safely, by clicking on the button above. Your report will go directly to the inappropriate personal conduct team. The tool is designed to make reporting incidents easier for you. Some key benefits are:

• You can remain anonymous throughout this process or provide contact details if you wish (you can also switch from one to the other as you please before submitting your report).
• There is a ‘quick exit’ button within the reporting tool that you can click to quickly leave the site if you are concerned about someone looking over your shoulder.
• A list of support services is provided if you need assistance or support.
• You can skip any questions to submit your report at any time.
• You can select whether you want to be contacted or not, and your preferred method of communication.
• Anyone can make a report; either the person who experienced the harassment or a third party or witness.
• There is a free text area where you can tell your story in your own words. You can provide as much or as little detail as you feel comfortable.
• If you are not sure what to write, there are some helpful prompts to assist you. You can upload supporting documents and evidence directly into the system.
• You maintain control over how the matter progresses.

If you make a confidential or anonymous report:

• You may decide later to lodge a formal complaint.
• Your matter is finalised but your report may inform education/training or help us monitor hotspots of inappropriate conduct. Your information does not get released without your consent.

If you wish to make a confidential or anonymous report by telephone or email to a staff member with specialised experience you can do so by contacting Ms Nadine Lambert, one of the Commissioner’s investigating solicitors, directly on 08 8456 8870, or by email at bdh@lpcc.sa.gov.au.

If you make a confidential or anonymous report:

• You may decide to lodge a formal complaint.
• Your matter is finalised but your report may inform education/training or help us monitor hotspots of inappropriate conduct. Your information does not get released without your consent.